IDENTIFICATION OF LOCAL CLIMATE CONDITIONS IMPORTANT FOR REINDEER HERDING AND DEVELOPMENT OF BASIC CLIMATE SCENARIOS

Principal Investigator: Dr. Inga Hanssen-Bauer

Participants: Norwegian Meterological Institute.

Objectives: a) To determine the extent to which the meteorological parameters can, singly or combined in indices, provide a biologically meaningful description of the local conditions that influence the food supply for reindeer. b) To produce basic local climate scenarios that can form the basis for the development of customised projections for reindeer herding.

Objectives: To determine what non-climate factors influence herders’ ability to adapt to changing climate conditions and the constraints on, and opportunities for, coping associated with national and international institutions, governance and customary rights.

The information gathered through the seven tasks in EALÁT-RESEARCH will be synthesised at two levels: within Finnmark and between Finnmark and Yamal. The team will analyse and compare the vulnerability, resilience and sensitivity of the reindeer herding community to the interacting forces of change outlined in the Tasks.

Objectives: Summarise and compare scientific data and codified versions of herders’ knowledge about the effects of variation in winter weather on the availability of forage for reindeer in winter and the growth and quality of forage in summer. Data and Method: Scientific data: Scientific literature. Herders’ knowledge: Documentation of herders' description of climate and of their knowledge of the effects of climate variation on forage and on foraging conditions.

The goal of this Work Package is to develop a flexible and integrated education model (4 x 15-15-15-15 credits) at college-level customized towards active reindeer herders, allowing them to conduct a formal education without having to leave the reindeer herding industry.